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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: A Small Bribe
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What's more, no one knew him besides Darcy, making it all the more perfect.
‘No, that's not right. There are rumors that Darcy carries something with him.’
I’d heard the stories about how the gangs spreading malicious rumors on the streets couldn't lay a finger on Darcy.
But no one had been able to identify his weapon.
It was time to meet Eaton.
I headed to the room where Eaton was waiting, carrying a small magic stone and a provisional contract.
Upon entering the theater, I found a recording of a play being projected onto the wall. I hadn’t left it on, so Eaton must have done it.
‘He's a quick learner.’
It couldn't have been easy to operate a machine he'd never seen before.
As I approached the screen, I saw Eaton staring blankly at it. He seemed completely captivated by the stage play. Even a quick glance from the side was enough to see how engrossed he was.
There were troupes that toured the country, but the play I had recorded was different. Pitol's new work was even scheduled for an exclusive run at this very theater.
I was going to get straight to the point, but it seemed I would have to wait.
I quietly stood next to Eaton, who hadn't even noticed my arrival.
They say actions speak louder than words, don't they? I decided to enjoy the play with him.
There was no risk of anyone else coming in. Everyone was already used to the fact that I spent my time alone here.
I sat on the edge of the bed and watched the show to its end with Eaton.
‘This feels completely different from when I'm with Darcy.’
Unlike with Darcy, who I was becoming more conscious of, this felt like taking a child on a field trip.
I tapped the shoulder of the applauding Eaton. If you enjoyed it, it's time to get to work.
Of course, my sudden touch made Eaton jump as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Wh-what the!”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“How did you get in here… No. That’s not a question I should be asking.”
Eaton still seemed to be completely immersed in the play.
“That’s right. This is the Etoile estate, after all.”
“…”
I walked to the wall and turned on the lights. Eaton, who had been squinting at the brightness, looked around and let out a small gasp of admiration.
‘Is this what it would feel like to have a younger brother?’
It was almost embarrassing how Darcy had perceived it; there was absolutely no romantic feeling between Eaton and me. The way we talked was more like siblings.
Eaton pointed a finger at the video player.
“What in the world is that?”
I never thought the tools I made for myself would be this useful…
I announced proudly.
“That is the magic tool I want to distribute.”
“A magic tool?”
Unable to contain his curiosity, Eaton approached the video player and touched it cautiously.
“This is truly revolutionary!”
Eaton shouted, still jabbing a finger at the screen on the wall. Seeing him so excited, he finally looked his age.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life…”
“That’s why I want to distribute it.”
“What did I just watch?”
“That was Pitol’s smash hit play, *Melodrama Is All Around Us*. I recorded it myself, so you can watch it anytime. No need to go to a theater, no need to worry about showtimes, and you can even repeat just the parts you want.”
At my words, Eaton’s eyes sparkled. He seemed to catch himself and tried his best to hide his excitement, but I had already seen it all.
Clearing his throat, Eaton asked.
“…Is there a reason you chose this kind of magic tool?”
“Because it’s something that can more easily blend into the lives of nobles than other magic tools. They’re people too, and there must be times when they want to kill time at home.”
An item that lets you enjoy cultural activities anytime, anywhere. People who are past the basic problems of food, clothing, and shelter are bound to covet the perks they can enjoy.
That’s why the video player was an excellent choice.
“If this magic tool becomes widely commercialized, people’s aversion to magic tools will also decrease.”
“Honestly, I can’t deny that.”
Eaton confessed. Having just applauded, it seemed he’d given up on hiding his true feelings.
It was impressive how, at such a young age, he prioritized practical gain over pride.
I sat down on the sofa with Eaton and added one more of my wishes.
“And… I think it could also reduce the aversion people have toward the mages who create such magic tools.”
Then, I set down the contract I had brought, along with the magic stone.
“Here’s the provisional contract. I’ll show it to the mages when I meet them later, but I’m showing it to you first.”
Eaton quickly scanned the contract. But he could only move his lips, unable to say a word.
‘Because there's nothing to fix!’
I proudly straightened my shoulders. Of course. If anything, the contract was more for the mages than for me.
This was possible because what I sought from this venture wasn't financial gain.
I slid the lump of magic stone toward Eaton, who had set down the contract.
“And this is a small bribe for you.”
Honestly, it was a bribe that could hardly be called small, but that was the sentiment.
Looking more surprised than he had at anything I’d done so far, Eaton gripped the magic stone tightly in his hand. I could see his hand trembling slightly. I hoped it was a sign of his excitement about the situation.
I made it immediately clear that this wasn't some pathetic gesture of pity.
“This is to reassure you that I have the funds for this venture.”
He glanced back and forth between the magic stone in his hand and the video player. The look in his eyes as he gazed at the magic tool was unusual.
I smiled to myself.
‘…Well, well, well.’
I hadn't even considered it because he was so young… but all mages possess the ability to create magic tools using magic stones.
It seemed that seeing how a magic tool could be used had planted a seed of desire in Eaton's heart.
‘This is a chance to see mages other than Darcy create magic tools.’
That wasn't my intention when I gave him the magic stone, but it's a good approach.
I made a subtle suggestion to Eaton.
“You can use this to try making a magic tool of your own. If you need more magic stones, I’ll provide them.”
“I never said I would!”
Eaton cried out, startled.
The way he shook his head as if to deny it vehemently suggested he definitely had a guilty conscience.
“If you say so. But if you do need magic stones, just let me know. I’ll provide them.”
“…My brother Airen told me not to even think about making magic tools.”
…Who’s that? When I frowned, Eaton changed the subject.
“Anyway, when are you coming to our village?”
“As soon as I’m ready. There are some things I need to take care of here first, so it might take a while.”
“What things?”
“There are social matters… and I’m also preparing gifts to give the mages along with the contract.”
“…Gifts? You’re not just bringing the contract?”
“I want to make a good impression at our first meeting. I’m very serious about making this deal happen.”
Should I show him? I could probably get his opinion on whether the kids would like them. As it happened, I had a pile of gifts for the children in a corner of the theater.
I took Eaton over and pointed to the toys one by one.
“This is a doll with jeweled eyes… a model of a knightly order crafted from emeralds, and a rocking horse made from old wood. What do you think?”
“…These don’t seem like gifts for adults.”
“I’ve prepared separate gifts for the adults.”
Crouching down, Eaton examined the toys one by one. As he rummaged through the toys, Eaton muttered quietly.
“You’re strange.”
Waiting anxiously for his opinion, I barely managed to hear him. I smiled softly and asked back.
“…How so.”
“Why would someone like you, who can have anything, make something like this? Why do you care about us?”
“…Because you’re not people who are unrelated to me anymore.”
Eaton narrowed his eyes at me.
“Because of that man?”
“Not just because of him. I’ve also… experienced a similar, albeit different, time.”
“…There’s no way you could understand us.”
“Is that so.”
Her life may have looked glamorous on the outside, but before I possessed her, Marso Etoile wasn't happy. And it was the same for me, who was in a similar position.
Despite having everything, we were wandering the desert in search of an oasis.
Eaton asked again.
“…Why did you make this?”
His question, more cautious than before, carried a new depth. I took a deep breath.
“I… was tired of everything.”
“…Tired?”
“So I made it so I could do what I wanted without having to face others.”
Though I never knew that something I started out of weariness would create such a butterfly effect.
“I wanted to be completely alone, even knowing how lonely it would be.”
I thought Eaton would scoff. Or else, I expected him to shout in disbelief.
But Eaton just stared at me, his brow furrowed. His blue eyes, both different and similar to Darcy's, darkened like the night sky.
“When you say it with that expression, I can’t really argue.”
Eaton squeezed his eyes shut then opened them, mumbling. His voice was even quieter.
“I thought all nobles were just vain lumps of arrogance.”
“…Why?”
“Because they never listen to what we have to say, and they only try to use us. The mages have to grovel and sell every last shred of their pride.”
“…”
“When I think about it, I hate the Prince and the Emperor the most. I had decided to never listen to them if I met them, and to just hate them.”
One might think, what can a boy do, but his gaze was deadly and his voice was low.
“…But I can’t hate your story.”
His sullen face held a darkness that couldn't be dismissed as mere youth, just as Darcy’s had when I first met him.
‘Will all the mages I meet be like this?’
I agreed with him.
“I feel the same way about hating the Emperor and Prince Ryan.”
Eaton blinked and asked.
“…According to the rumors, you were in love with Prince Ryan for quite a long time.”
I made a face as if I had just heard the most horrifying thing in the world.
